United 2
(Armstrong 41′, Lewis 77′)
King’s Lynn Town 0
United returned to league action and winning ways on Saturday, by securing a 2-0 win over King’s Lynn Town at Plainmoor.
A goal in each half from new signing Sinclair Armstrong and centre-back Joe Lewis saw Gary Johnson’s side earn themselves all three points on Community Day at Plainmoor.
United applied the pressure early on and in the third minute, a Lewis clearance found new loan signing Armstrong on the counter-attack, who sprinted past his man, but his low-driven effort forced Paul Jones to get down to make the save.
For some time thereafter, Gary Johnson’s side continued to press but were unable to find the final product, before the visitors came close to taking the lead in the 25th minute.
A free kick from midway inside the Torquay half dipped deep into the United box, before being headed across the face of goal – Thankfully, no-one was there to profit.
Town threatened again nine minutes later, as a Clunan effort from just outside the box skimmed the outside post, serving as a reminder to Johnson’s troops to up the ante.
As the match headed towards the break, that’s exactly what they did.
In the 35th minute, a corner by Armani Little just evaded a rising Armstrong at the far-post before falling to Dean Moxey, whose effort across goal was blocked out for another corner.
New man Armstrong went close again four minutes later when he beat two King’s Lynn players before driving into the right side of the box, resulting in his shot being blocked.
With United continuing to press high in the closing stages of the half, they were rewarded in the 41st minute.
A long throw into the box from Moxey attracted enough attention from a combination of Yellow and White shirts to leave Armstrong well placed inside the 18-yard box to rifle home a debut gaol and make it 1-0 at the break.
United’s high-press continued in the second half and in the 49th minute came close to doubling the advantage, as another long throw b Moxey found Lewis at the near-post, with his header resulting in a panicked clearance for the visitors.
King’s Lynn continued to hunt for an equaliser and created a chance of their own in the 58th minute as Shaun MacDonald was forced to carefully watch an effort from Ethan Coleman which eventually deflected safely into his arms. The Linnets’ pressure persisted for the following few minutes and in the 63rd minute they drove a free kick just wide.
Just past the hour mark, Klaidi Lolos charged through the opponents’ half, with his effort from just outside the box appearing to be on target, but was blocked by the retreating Linnet’s defence.
Whilst Johnson’s men appeared to be relatively untroubled in defence, with the advantage remaining at just the goal, the result remained in the balance.
That all changed with 13 minutes to go, as United’s advantage was doubled.
Goal celebrations for Joe Lewis of Torquay United during the National League match between Torquay United and KingÕs Lynn Town at Plainmoor Torquay, Devon on Saturday 23rd October 2021 – PHOTO: Dave Crawford/PPAUK
A ball into the King’s Lynn box appeared to be heading calmly into the hands of ‘keeper Jones, however Lolos was in no mood to give up on the opportunity.
Forcing the ball to remain up for grabs, the resultant ricochet fell kindly into the path of Lewis, who gleefully slammed it to net to make it 2-0.
From then on, the men in yellow who looked likelier to extend their lead rather than relinquish it, and when the final whistle sounded, it only confirmed the inevitable, as United secured three much-needed, and very pleasing points.
Onwards we march… as a community, together.
TUFC: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 10. Armani Little (c), 14. Chiori Johnson, 15. Harry Perritt, 19. Klaidi Lolos, 21. Dean Moxey, 25. Sinclair Armstrong, 30. Dan Holman (16. Keelan O’Connell 65′), 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 11. Jake Andrews, 17. Gabby Rogers, 24. Alex Addai.
King’s Lynn: 1. Paul Jones, 2. Luis Fernandez, 3. Tyler Denton, 4. Kyle Callan-McFadden, 7. Michael Clunan (c), 8. Ethan Coleman, 9. Gold Omotayo, 14. Malachi Linton (18. Munashe Sundire 78′), 16. Brett McGavin, 17. Aaron Jones (12. Michael Gyasi 63′), 22. Ross Barrows.
Yellow Card: Denton, 77′
Attendance: 2,506 (42 away)